Blondie's Last Night

Sunday morning I stood under the shower letting the warm water wash off the drunk from the night before. Hot water may have never felt so good.

Saturday night was Blondie's lingerie / Bachelorette party.

Per her request we had rented a cabin for the night. All the bridesmaids brought a tailgating dish and adult beverages. 

I got there early along with Blondie and Nashville Chick (who is another bridesmaid). We sat on the porch visiting and enjoying listed to the creek flow by down below. 

That was perhaps the only calm part of the evening!

Soon the other girls and guests began to arrive and the fun began!! I had prepared a batch of Pink Panty Droppers (a Vivi Special) for the party, the drinks were poured and the party began!

Blondie opened her scandalous presents. Some tasteful, some down right slutty. I of course was guilty of getting her the latter of the two. ;)

We have all been taking bets on how long it will be before Blondie gets knocked up so one of the other bridesmaids slipped in a pregnancy test with her gift.

I truly admire Blondie and her confidence. I myself am so shy that I'm practically a prude (sad but true). Blondie had invited her mother and future mother-in-law, who are both great, but I couldn't help thinking how uncomfortable I'd be opening these type of presents in front of my mom and future mother-in-law. Don't get me wrong I'm tight with both of them but no need to show "this is what I'm going to wear when I do your son later." lol

It went great though! Both mom's even participated in our little game of pin the penis! haha

We didn't have a blindfold so Blondie put one of her new presents to work........ (thanks to Conscious for the leopard print blindfold).

It was an interesting game to say the least..... and like usual Vixen won. We all think she cheats.

Then Vivi had to go and pull out the veil.

Now there is some back story to the veil. Everybody gets a turn with it! Giggles refused to wear it at her bachelorette party and we decided to leave it at the hotel. So when Vivi pulled it out several of us gasped in shock!

"The veil lives!"

Blondie takes one look at it, "Ah hell."

Yes this veil has a little bit of everything on it..... KY, Condoms, Empty Birth Control pack...... you name it!

Vivi also pulled out THE monster bottle of crown she bought on the last cruise we all went on together.

We all laugh and say that when we're 80 we are going to be sitting around on a front porch somewhere still drinking on this bottle of crown!

 It was a fun night and my only regret was not spending more time right here.....

Robin Scherbatsky: Check out what I got Lily for her shower! It's kind of racy; think you can handle it? 

Barney: I've been in a ten-way, so... yeah. 

~ How I Met Your Mother ~

Getting Creative ~ Chalkboard Creation

So I have looked at a TON of wedding idea photos on Goggle Images. Back when we did our engagement photos I was scanning the web looking for inspiration and ideas and came upon this picture. 

Taken From Google Images

This of course got the wheels turning...... I was already planning on doing a photo guestbook. So how about instead of having guests write next to a picture, how bout have them write a message on a chalkboard and hold it in the picture? 

I thought this was a great idea! I started looking around for chalkboards. Etsy has a ton to choose from!! All of which are beautiful..... but also out of my price range!

There had to be away I could make my own. 

Google is my best friend. Seriously. He always knows the answer and somehow always knows just what I'm looking for. 

And again he didn't let me down.

I headed to Lowes where I purchased a can of chalkboard paint, a small piece of plywood, and a roller. I don't remember the exact cost of my supplies but I believe it was less than 20 bucks.

Chalkboard Paint

I then set out to find a frame. At a discount store I found a beautiful Better Homes and Gardens frame for $5. I love the frame and knew immediately that I may not want it to be a chalkboard forever (that's where the plywood comes in). I also picked up a few frames at the dollar store. 

In case your interested here is a short tutorial on how I made mine.

First I took the glass out of my frame and traced it onto the small piece of plywood. Then I had Marine cut the board for me to the sizes I needed (I'm a klutz and he didn't trust me with the saw. Probably a good idea on his part!)

So here is my basic board already cut to size.

Silly me couldn't find a paint tray so I used a small glad Tupperware to pour my paint into. Hey whatever works!

Then I just started painting my boards......

I put about 3 coats on each board just to make sure everything was covered properly.

Then I let the boards sit a few days to dry....... also I had forgotten to buy chalk (DUH).

Once the board was dry I put it into the picture frame. 

I was so pleased with how it looked. But would it work?

I took out my chalk and tested it.......

 Worked like a charm!

Now that I know it works I'm going to make a few more to use as photo props and to place on the drink table.

Trust me this is so easy! I mean if me the DIY dummy can do it, anyone can!

I just Googled Wedding Chalkboards to share some other ideas of how others had used them with you:

 Have a great weekend!

Ramp Hunting

Taken from Google Images

Last Sunday Marine and I met with his ENTIRE family to go ramp hunting.

What is a ramp?

 

A ramp is a wild onion. 

We hiked about 3 miles back into the woods before arriving at a hillside covered in green. 

Ramps

It was a gorgeous day! And the hike in was beautiful. Here are a few pictures from the day.....

Bear claw marks on a tree

Heidi enjoying the day

Marine and I with our bags of ramps

His & Her's Shower

This past weekend was awesome to say the least! Friday night (well more like early Saturday morning) Marine and I finished up painting!!!!!

FINALLY!


Marine got up early Saturday morning and, with the help of a friend, started moving things in.

I was frantically trying to organize and get ready for the shower.

Despite the fact that it had rained ALL week long, Saturday was beautiful!

The couples shower was taking place at a pavilion down on the river and let me just say my friends went way above and beyond!

The decorations were great and the food was AMAZING!!

Start of the present table

There were roughly 40+ people there and I couldn't believe how many people came out to spend the day with us; family, friends and co-workers.

Marine & Me

It was a His & Her's shower and you could tell all the guys were kinda like "Dude we are at a shower." lol

Giggles and Babbles along with my other bridesmaids had seemed to think of everything though all the way from music to Margarita's.

Marine and I received so many nice things! Kitchen towels, baking pans, Tupperware, Omelette pans, knives, picture frame, Bathroom Towels, Punch Server, Measuring cups, China, and other kitchen things I had no clue how to use!! (Sad but true).  We also received numerous Lowes Giftcards which will be a great help in adding the finishing touches to the new casa de us.

Opening Gifts

Love how Blondie captured this

Babbles gave us a trash can full of cleaning supply's, what a great gift idea! Marine and I loved it.

There were running jokes with each kitchen gift we opened friends commenting that I wouldn't know how use them,etc. Everyone was laughing especially when we opened the second part of Babbles gift in which she had to take a jab at my non-existent cooking skills by giving us this:

Yes that is a case of Ramon Noodles.

One of my favorite quotes of the day was from my friend who is the Will to my Grace. "So I went rouge and didn't get you anything of your registry. But this gift is so you!"

From Will and His Boyfriend - so beautiful and we loved it!

I told him he could go rogue anytime! lol

Overall it was a wonderful day with many great memories.

One of which was when Marine's great Aunt went to fill up her glass with what she thought was lemonade which in reality was Margarita....... awkward!  Thankfully someone stopped her before she got it poured.

Saturday after the shower Marine and I went to the barn and I got Miss B. ready and we went to the first show of the season. Miss B and I placed 2nd in poles so we are off to a good start this season.

{Sorry this took so long to post due to storms we were without power from Monday till last night!}

Grace: God, it is so weird seeing myself in a wedding dress again. It's freaking me out a little bit, I'm actually sweating.

Karen: Honey, you're finally wearing a quality fabric. Your body's not sweating, it's crying with relief.

~ Will & Grace ~

Just Another Post It Note Tuesday

Whispered Secrets

Everyone has secrets. 

Some of the secrets are small....... 

Some secrets are a little bigger.......

Some we share with others. Some we vow to take to the grave.

Today I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. 

You ready for it????....... Hope your sitting down............

January 1st of 2010 started out as a cloudy day.

If you recall Marine had asked me the night before to marry him. So the cloudy day was fine by me because I was on cloud 9.

As I dressed for the day I carefully removed the white sweater dress I had brought for just this occasion. That matched with black tights was a little more causal that I had planned on but that wasn't important.

I had forgotten my black ballet flats so I reluctantly I stepped into my black Steve Madden hooker heels.

I spent a little extra time fixing my hair unbeknown-est at the time that as soon as I stepped outside the gusty wind would ruin my extra effort.

I rummaged in my sparse makeup bag till I found the eyeliner pencil that only gets used for special occasions and carefully outlined my eyes. Still no pro but better than I had been months before.

Once I felt that my makeup was done I emerged from the bathroom to find Marine already dressed.

He looked so handsome in his khaki's and button up shirt.

"Is this ok?" He asked smoothing down his shirt.

"Perfect..... and me?" I did a small twirl tripping a little in my heels causing us both to laugh.

He catches me before I fall. "Beautiful as always."He says giving me light kiss.

I take my Grandma's diamond watch from my suitcase and carefully place it around my small wrist as the final touch.

Shortly after Marine, myself and Marine Friend leave the apartment and head to Wal-Mart to grab a few necessities.

Then I pull out the directions to where we are headed.

We all talk and laugh as pull up to a house that is nothing of what we expected.

"This is it?" Marine asks.

Hahahahaha "How did you find this place?" Marine friend laughs from the backseat.

"Wow." I say speechless looking around.... "Not quite what it looked like online."

"Sure you want to do this?" Marine asks.

I smile, "Of course! You?"

"Yes." He smiles back then adds, "yeah I really know you love you."

We had an appointment so as we walked through the door the man inside was expecting us.

Marine Friend starts snorting as he holds in laughter behind me.

My jaw drops and my eyes meet Marine.

This may be the tackiest thing I've ever seen.

We can't do this in here.

Marine and I are holding hands and I lean closer and whisper in his ear as the man turns his back to us. "Ask if we can do it outside.... please." I plead with my eyes.

"So could we use the gazebo outside?" Marine asks.

"Outside?" The man looks puzzled. "Sure I guess so. Whatever you want. I wasn't prepared for that though so it's not decorated......... I can't do music out there."

"Thats ok," I smile sweetly.

We head outside into the cool air.

The man leads us to the gazebo and Marine Friend starts snapping pictures as Marine and I join hands and the man begins to speak.

"We are gathered here today........."

On January 1st, 2010 at approximately 3p.m. I married the love of my life in a small gazebo off a back road in North Carolina.

That is my secret. 

***Shhh...... don't tell!***

[Scene: A Little White Chapel, Chandler and Monica are entering.]

Chandler: Hello! One marriage please!

Monica: Yep, we wanna get married!

The Attendant: Well, there's a service in progress. Have a seat.

Chandler and Monica: All right.

(They both sit down.)

Chandler: (singing) Dum! Dum-dum-dum! Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum-dum-dum!

Monica: What are you doing?

Chandler: Oh, that's The Wedding March. Does, does that freak you out?

Monica: No, only because that's the graduation song.

~ Friends ~